Former Minnesota Vikings coach and Cleveland Browns player Paul Wiggin has passed away at the age of 91, leaving behind his wife, Carolynn, and their three children
Will be missed by many!
December 15, 2026
This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on December 15, 2026
Paul Wiggin, a fixture of American football for more than six decades, died on December 12, 2026, at the age of 91, leaving his wife behind.
Wiggin married Stanford student Carolynn Curlee Clark in 1956. The couple raised three daughters and grandchildren.
He often spoke warmly about life in Minnesota. “My wife absolutely loves the seasons and doesn’t want to go to Florida. It does grow on you,” he said.
“You can’t really say all of the things, but it does grow on you. I told the coaches that came here, ‘You wait, you’ll appreciate it here.’ “
A True Football Professional
The Minnesota Vikings announced his passing and remembered him as a standout player, thoughtful coach, and steady builder of personnel departments.
Wiggin first made his name at Stanford. He earned two-time All-America honors and played in the 1956 East-West Shrine Game.
He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns and became one of the most durable defensive ends of his era.
Over 11 seasons, he started 127 of 146 regular season games and was a two-time Pro Bowler.
He played alongside Jim Brown and Jim Marshall under coach Paul Brown. He helped the Browns win the 1964 NFL Championship.
Those on-field years earned him a place among Cleveland’s all-time greats.
After retiring, Wiggin moved into coaching. He cut his teeth as a defensive line coach with the San Francisco 49ers.
He served as head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs starting in 1975. He was tasked with rebuilding the team.
“We have some rebuilding to do here,” Wiggin said on taking the job. Many of the team’s stars were near the end of their careers.
The Chiefs’ records were five-nine, five-nine, and one-six before he was fired in 1977. Wiggin later said, “I bit the bullet during a very rough time in this team’s history.”
He became the New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator under Dick Nolan. He then returned to Stanford as head coach from 1980 to 1983.
At Stanford, he coached a young John Elway. He was present during the unforgettable 1982 play known as “The Play.”
Wiggin joined the Minnesota Vikings in 1985 as defensive line coach under Hall of Famer Bud Grant.
He remained a fixture with the Vikings for decades. In 1992, he moved to the personnel department. He helped build the department from the ground up.
Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf said, “We are tremendously saddened by the passing of longtime Minnesota Vikings coach, scout and respected NFL figure Paul Wiggin. Paul’s impact on the game spanned decades.”
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“They cared about players, coaches, and staff,” the statement continued. “He wanted nothing more than to win a Super Bowl for Vikings fans. He was most proud of his family.”
Former Vikings executive Rob Brzezinski said, “Coach Wiggin is a legend as a person, player, coach and personnel executive. Wigs was a humble man with a generous heart.”
Scott Studwell said, “Paul was not only a great coach and dear friend of our family but he was also a mentor to some of the all-time greats in Vikings history.”
John Randle added, “Paul was the original guru. He had a quiet way of imparting his knowledge and wisdom in a way that changed the game.”
“He never raised his voice or spoke in harsh words. His humble leadership pushed you to be a better player and a better man.”
Paul Wiggin’s career combined achievement with service. He was a champion on the field, a coach at every level, and a builder of teams.
He helped develop Hall-of-Fame caliber talent and quietly shaped franchises behind the scenes. He will be remembered for steady professionalism, mentorship, and devotion to the game.
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Anish Koirala has loved sports since he was a kid. He grew up playing basketball and soccer, and that passion stayed with him over the years. Today, Anish works as a writer and editor, sharing his knowledge and love for the game through articles and stories. He uses his playing experience to make his writing clear, thoughtful, and fun to read.
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